A Wedding Tear

To say it's been hectic would be an understatement of the biggest kind. I know I've sort of breezed in and out of here recently with some pictures here and the odd quote there - but trust me, I have quite a few posts lined up, posts that I'm itching to get online - alas, revision and wedding have left me with very little free time. The wedding is finally over (in case you're curious, it was the bf's brother's) and I’m now left with the sole stress of passing my exams. Fun. Here are a few of my favourite moments during the day (bar the part when they were pronounced husband and wife, but I was too busy shedding the quintessential wedding tear to be taking pictures) - I promise to be back with a review, a recipe (that I’m still looking to perfect) and maybe a little bit more. Have a great week.

xxx

Mid-Week Indulgences

As expected - revision aside, I've done little more than eat, drink, eat, eat and then eat again. And as long as I'm going to break for food anyway, why not break somewhere nice ;)? Hope you're all having a wonderful week.

xxx

Sparks

A YO! Sushi Virgin

Conveyor belt sushi had been on my radar for a very long time - probably for as long as YO! Sushi has actually been around. But as far as family meals go, when pitched up against Indian or Italian, Japanese tends to get struck off by a decisive 3 to 1 (mum: "why would you eat "kachu-kachu" (raw food)?!") thus serving to dampen my enthusiasm. Plus I'm always THAT girl in Wagamama's who asks for a fork because she can't work the chopsticks. Not one of my prouder moments. But all this time, I've retained an omnipresent, ominous sense of longing - I've tried on numerous-an-occasion to satisfy the craving with M&S and Boots' Vegetarian Sushi selections. Alas, all in vain, because each time I pass a YO! Sushi it's as though hot vegetable gyoza, crunchy asparagus nigiri and tangy cucumber maki are calling out to me, luring me. So, having frequented Wagamama's more than a few times over the recent months, and obviously worked out which roll is which via the ready-made sushi packs (thus ascertaining that I now had sufficient knowledge of the cuisine to try it), I worked up the courage last Sunday, with my best friend, to hit YO! Sushi. And hit it we did - because once we got started, there was no stopping us as we picked up dish after dish that went by on the authentic Japanese style 'kaiten' conveyor belt. A total of 19 between the two of us if I remember correctly. Ohhhh the pumpkin korroke and the hot miso soup, vegetable yakisoba and crispy tempura, not to forget the small sweet bites that followed; Japanese style pancakes and soft, sweet rice cake balls. Is your mouth watering yet?

In case you're wondering, no, I didn't master the art of the chopstick, and yes, I did get mighty frustrated that I was picking up and putting into my mouth just one noodle at a time. But was it worth it? Every single tortured second of (piping hot noodles and no fork/) it.

xxx

Check out the website to locate your nearest YO! sushi - and in case you're like me, they even have a step-by-step guide to the whole experience. What more could you ask for?

Recipe: Cheese on Toast (?!)

*Disclaimer - this article contains reference to romantic ideals and soppy boyfriends. Easy access to a sick bucket is recommended, cynics are advised to steer clear. The writer takes no responsibility whatsoever for any individual’s disgust at her lovesickness. Thank you.

I remember when I was younger, boys were still nothing but an annoyance, and mum would work tirelessly in the kitchen, I'd announce, completely self-assured, that I’d only ever marry if we found a man that would do all the cooking. And of course the cleaning that ensued. Maybe some (read all) of the ironing. He’d always remember to put the toilet seat down, pull out the bins for collection and of course pick up his smelly socks the morning after. You know that mental check-list we all have? He’d have to be rich, romantic, resourceful, ravishing...I think you catch my drift. Some 15 years later, here I am. I’m not going to lie, I have the most loving of boyfriends; but as long as we’re going down the ‘not lying’ route, I’d have to confess that his culinary skills stretch as far as...well, toast, really. So that would be jam on toast, cheese on toast, beans on toast and... did I mention just regular toast as well? Yeah.

Now, whilst my carb intake has spiked sharply as a result, I have to say, he really does know how to put sparkle into the simple. Did you know that cheese on toast could ever look this good?! It’s the ultimate comfort food, and what’s more, for what it is, bread and cheese, it’s rather versatile. Pasata and mozzarella = Italian, olives + feta = Greek, tomatoes + chedder = British whilst addition of chilli sauce or green chillis gives it a spicy Asian twist. Who’d have known?! I’m hooked - so I think it’s safe to say his cheese on toast-ing skills keep him on my right side... ;)

...as does this cheesy crisp (/heart attack on a plate) concoction...

...and the cutest presents he buys me following a fight...Nawwww.

xxx

Some London Love

I think it would be fair to describe myself as a walker, for I can walk mile after mile after endless mile, happily, tirelessly (ask the boyfriend if you don't believe me). I don't know if it's the fresh air, or the steady, rhythmic thump of my shoes in time with the (almost ever-present) music blasting from my earphones, but it's a stress reliever of the best sort. But even for someone like me, habitual walker, maybe even addicted walker, there are times when it's just a no no. Example. If EVER there was a time I might say no, it would be 8am on a drizzly Sunday morning, the day after a family wedding and sleepless night, when the underground is buggered, London Midlands has closed itself down and most places in London have to be bussed or walked to. Did I add that I had the option to remain curled up, warm and snug, under the covers watching Sunday morning TV?

But guess what this crazy walker found herself doing first thing on that same drizzly Sunday morning? Yup, you guessed it. Gallivanting through London. Two motivating factors: 1. Sushi date with best friend. 2. Sushi date with best friend.

And it's just as well 'cause the tubes were empty, footpaths deserted, parks empty and before long, sunny too. Turns out closure of the district and circle lines was a blessing in disguise, because the walk from Sloane Square to Knightsbridge (spent peering tentatively at the £3984497464803 handbags in the designer stores) and then to Hyde Park Corner and into Hyde Park is probably one of the nicest I've ever taken. It's hard to imagine a city that's heaving almost all the time (and even by 11 on Sunday) can ever be so serene, especially by daylight. It's even harder to fathom such secluded, exclusive homes and parks, tucked away out of sight just a stones throw from the bustling tourist spots. Most of the time it's as if London's too busy to remember how beautiful it actually is.

xxxx

Wedding Bells

I haven't been to many weddings in my time if I’m absolutely honest. Let's face it, as a child you’re dragged along for hour upon tedious hour of pleasantries and cheek-pinching, shown off and handed around like a piece of meat, prodded and tickled, ridiculed and teased. So that by the time you're a teen, you put your foot down and refuse to take the incessant maltreatment any more (your old aunty - “Oh my, look how you’ve grown” - only you haven’t, just that her memory fails her since you turned 6). However, by the time you hit 21, if you're a bit of a soppy romantic like me, there’s something almost magical about two people who you know and care about, promising to love and to cherish each other every day for the rest of their lives *brushes aside wedding tear*. Here are a few of my favourite pictures from my boyfriend's brother’s wedding on Saturday - the second event of very many more to come.

xxx

Celebrations

It's been a strange week - one of the strangest yet. One filled with rows and remorse as well as success and celebrations. We have a wedding in the family, with festivities kicking off last Saturday with a bang…. and pretty much continuing through 'til April 29th (yup, you heard, a full three weeks!). Add to that three important birthdays, numerous job interviews and the stress that is exams (three weeks *panic attack**passes out*)…it's fair to say that sometimes, it's hard to keep your hair on. Ah well. Wishing you a wonderful weekend.

xxx

You'll Find Him Next To Me

xxx

What Seema Did

Exam lock-down has commenced. And while days out are on the wane, I get the feeling cheeky nights out (and in) are going to be on the rise. Girl’s gotta do something to keep her head on, right? So this week, I have some recipes, some recommendations and above all that, some rants for you. Stay tuned.

xxxx

Good Friday

Just to wish you a good Good Friday; a restful four days; a Happy Easter, however you’re spending it. Apologies for the impromptu silence, I’ll be back soon.

xxx

A Week Of...

1. ...dinner dates with the man, the family and the girls. Any excuse, really, for some dinner.

2. ...Tesco's white chocolate celebration cake. Occasion: Dad's Birthday. Cost: £10. Taste: Priceless. Proof: Little cake-ogling girl at the next table (don't worry, we did give her a piece).

3. ...developing new television interests to stave off revision. The Apprentice anyone?

xxx